St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-12-26
A LIFE SKETCH.
ST am disappointed in him."


$50 am l." a.
AZ thought when he settled down ih
the possession of his property that W.
should enjoy him; but he falls far short
of the mark l had set for him." ]
"Not only falls short of your mark,
Tom, but he really deserves a black
mark. We must cut him."
81 have made up my mind to do So
sHe deserves it-richly deserves it."
The two who had thus spoken were
| Tom Gardiner and George Seaverns.
They were young men OF good standing
| in society and possessing considerable
| social influence in what are vulgarly
termed the upper circles"
"WhO is the deserving one?' de-
manded third person at that moment
appearing to view around c0rner-f0r
this conversation had been going on in
| the street.
1--WE are speaking of Paul Britnall,"
replied Gardiner.
The new cOmer-Charles VOtell-a
| Young man of that set, shook his head
obviously. =,
81 have been disappointed in him."
"Just what we have been saying.
| Charles. had thought him prince of
good fellows and pattern of liberailty,
and had supposed, when be came into
possession of his, property, that ne
would add his full share to our pleasure;
but instead of that he has drawn
himself completely within his own
shell. / have nothing to say
against his close application to his
| profession. That, suppose, Is
eminently proper; but he certainly has
| time and opportunity to join US in our
sports. He owns two of the very best
horses in the city, and yet he will not
| enter them for one of our society
purses. Yesterday went to him to get
| him to subscribe to our club, and what
| do you suppose his answer was-Ill
tell you: Tom said he, Il cannot at
| ford it, And when L asked him what
he meant, he told me that he had better
use for his money, and better use for
| his time"
'Rather stiff and puritanical," said
| SeavernS.
Rather say, mean and selfish" sug-
| gested V0tell.
"That is it." nodded Gardiner. 'He's
mean and selfish. You can call it moth
ing else."
"a mean. selfish fellow" echoed Sea-
| verns and VOtell, in concert.
ssWhO, if | may ask, has the misfortune
to be thus condemned" demanded a
| new voice. 1t was clear. musical voice,
| rich and heartful.
The trio turned and beheld the very
man of whom they were speaking-Paul
! Britnall. He was young man OF five
| and-twenty, and in every point and par
| ticular gentleman. His blue eyes were
clear and bright; his face was fair and
| handsome, ana perfect health OF body
| gave strength to his goodness OF heart.
The three who had been talking were
| for a moment cOnfounded; but Tom
| Gardiner was not coward. As soon as
| he could recover himself he said:
1T was a private conversation, Paul,
but as you have heard so much we will
not prevaricate or swallow our words.
| We were speaking of YOU"
s'That was mean and selfiSh!'
$50 we thought"
A flush was upon Paul BritnalFs
| cheek and tremOr upon his lip; but
| the emotion was quickly subdued, and a
| quiet smile broke over his handsome
| face. H
'sElucidate," he said, with nod.
why, you ought to understand, re-
| piled Gardiner.
Il shall understand better when you
| have explained, Tom"
.Weli, Paul, you have disappointed us
| in every way. You refuse to JOIN our
yacht and boat clubs"
81 find riding enough behind my
| horses and exercise enough in healthier
| ways than rowing, at least for me-"
''But you drive your horses and yet
| won't enter them Oh our course"
II purchased my horses for the COM
fort of myself and wife, not for sport. !"
"You won't pay dollar toward our
suppers!n ,,
"And you refuse point blank to sub
| scribe to our club"
Il don't belong to the club"
"But we voted you in unanimously.
| sNot by my request, however"
| at makes no odds, Paul. You can't
creep out of that small hole. You have
disappointed us in every way"
Paul Britnall reflected for brief
| space, and finally he looked up with a
| pleasant smile aud said:
''Boys, think understand you. My
| carriage is around at the blackSmith'S,
where | have left it to have tire tight
| ened. There is room for you there to
| ride. Will YOU 90 with me out to my
place to lunch? If you wilt do so will
| try to convince you that am innocent
| of the charge you bring against me. If,
when YOU have heard my defense, you
do not eXOnerate me will agree to sus-
cribe $500 to your club. Will you
| Gomez"
They had nothing particular to do,
and. moreover, they were really curious
to see his place upon the inside. SO
| they told him they would go with him.
The ride was not long one. Only a
| short distance into the country, and
+bo1- +urpad from thQ highway into q
winding carriage path, ffanked with
| magnificent shade trees, and soon pulled
up before cottage of exceeding grace
| and architectural beauty. A fountain
sent up its sivery jet of sparkling water
| upon the lawn, and its adOrnmentS were
| two marble nymphs.
Votell spoke of the fountain and Tom
and George declared it beautiful.
II think it helps the general effect of
| the picture" said Paul. 1T cost me a
goodly sum, but l believe l draw a
| fair interest from the investment in
comfort and satisfaction. Will you
| walk in?''
He led them into the house. In the
| hall they left their hats, and were then
| conducted into an apartment where
were cases filled with books: cases con-
tanning stuffed birds and rare speci-
mems of minerals, chaste and beautiful
statuettes in marble and in Parian. and
choice Oil paintings in handsome
frames upon the walls. There were a
writing and reading table and easy
chairs.
This is my snuggery," said Paul,
''apd here l take solid comfort. The
embellishments which you see about
you cost great deal of money, but l
deem money well and probably spent
that serves to make home cheerful and
pleasant"
1t was certainly cheerful and pleas
ant place, and the visitors did not sup
press their appreciation and admira-
| ton.
Paul led them next into an apart
ment where there were more pictures
and more choice bits of sculpture, and